Miracle Donati Goal Saves Celtic FC Day!

UEFA Champions League – Group D
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Celtic Park Glasgow

CELTIC…2
(Jarosik 45, Donati 94)

SHAKHTAR DONETSK…1
(Brandao 4)

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc, Caldwell, Kennedy (Pressley 40), McManus, Naylor (Donati 14); McGeady, Brown, Hartley, Jarosik; Vennegoor of Hesselink (Killen 79), McDonald

Subs not used: Brown, Zurawski, Sno, Caddis

SHAKHTAR DONETSK (4-4-2) Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Chygrynskiy, Rat; Hubschman, Lewandowski, Jadson, Isinho (Yezerskiy 83); Brandao, Lucarelli

Subs not used: Shust, Duljaj, Vukic, Shevchuk, Bielik, Gladkiy

Celtic FC moved to within touching distance of a coveted place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after a stunning 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – Massimo Donati scoring a dramatic injury-time winner.

A win or a draw in next Tuesday’s final Group D match in the San Siro with AC Milan, who have already qualified, will be enough to see the Hoops progress past the group phase for the second successive season, while Celtic would also qualify if Shakhtar fail to beat Benfica.

AC Milan, who drew 1-1 against Benfica tonight, lead the group on 10 points, while Celtic sit second on nine points. Shakhtar have six, while Benfica have four.

Celtic cannot finish any lower than third, meaning European football is guaranteed after Christmas – whether it be in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Cup.

On a night of high drama, Brandao fired Shakhtar into an early lead, but Jiri Jarosik equalised for Celtic on the stroke of half-time. Chances were scarce in the second period, but Donati pounced in the last seconds to fire home a priceless winner.

However, the night was also overshadowed by injuries to Celtic defenders Lee Naylor and John Kennedy. Both were carried off, with Kennedy appearing to land awkwardly on his left leg.


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Again, Celtic proved they are unbeatable at home, and also guaranteed football in Europe after Christmas. What a wonder strike by Donati in injury time!

HAIL! HAIL!

TomC